A powerful message to parents and young drivers will be unveiled at 9 a.m. Thursday, at the Motor Vehicle Administration on Route 5 in Loveville. The MVA, Allstate Insurance and Brandywine Automotive Center have been working with the local Community Traffic Safety Program to emphasize of the importance of parents and teen drivers to be steadfast in following the Graduate Licensing Restrictions and the importance of continuing behind the wheel skill building for young drivers.

 Information packets on the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office STOPPED program, MSP parental notification policy, MVA efforts at the Loveville Office, Calvert County's Alive at 25 project with the National Safety Council, Southern Maryland Crash Data, GDL Licensing laws and other pertinent information will be available.

 The project is directed towards both parents and teen drivers. The MVA office in Loveville has fairly large number of parents and teens from Charles and Calvert County as customers.

 Young drivers only represent 8% of licensed drivers in Southern Maryland, but they represent the at-fault drivers in 29% of Calvert County, 24.6% of Charles County and 27% of St. Mary's County total crashes.  In Maryland young drivers only represent 17% of the at-fault drivers in total crashes.  Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers.

 Speed, passengers and other distractions, inexperience, and not wearing restraints are significant factors in young driver crashes.  Parents are the key in continuing to increase the knowledge, skills and behaviors of their young drivers when driving.

 This MVA office is very close to the locations of 2 motor vehicle crashes (one on Sunnyside Road and one on Rt 5) where teens lost their lives.

 Please plan to attend.  It may be necessary to park at the SHA office next door.  Please take care crossing to MVA.